Well Happy July 4th to all my wonderful American readers and the Brits who like the day because it was actually the original Brexit. But, we got Brexited, so not really a choice. I gotta work on the delivery of that joke.
RIGHT.
Into the mixer.
It would seem the big wait for Gabriel Jesus was because the social admin wanted to do a social post with the 3 Gabi’s in it. I’m down for that sort of craft.
Now we’re here, who really cares about the wait?
Edu is obviously thrilled, no one has enjoyed the window more than the Brazilian Invincible.
“Gabriel is a player who we have admired for a long time now. He is 25 years old and an established Brazil international who has consistently demonstrated that he is a player at a very high level. We look forward to seeing him join up with his new teammates ahead of the new season. We all welcome Gabriel to Arsenal.”
Mikel is also excited because we all know that this deal doesn’t happen without him, this is a move built on relationships, and Jesus needed to know he’d be looked after at his new club, and he has found that with Arsenal.
“I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.”
It’s also worth paying attention to Fabrizio Romano who said at least 3 clubs were still trying to hijack the move as of last Sunday. That tells you a couple of things, firstly, Arteta has a good project going on at Arsenal and knows how to sell it. The second, this market is crazy, it seems everyone is running the same software tool, looking at the same players.
Arteta didn’t get a lot of space to talk about the player, but what he did say followed the pattern of the last 10 signings… character, desire, quality.
“I think it’s a package. Start with his character, the person, the smile and what he represents as a human being. Then he’s an incredible professional, with his work ethic and enthusiasm. You will see it the first day he puts on his boots and enters the training pitch; he has the enthusiasm that he is going to create on his own on that pitch.
“And then obviously there are his qualities, his anger to score, his willingness to be coached, to improve. He is used to winning and he knows that winning is the only way to do it. I think he will set different standards at the club.”
I like the bit at the bottom with regards to standards. Jesus is 25 and he’s won 4 Premier League titles already. That sort of human in and around the training ground is going to be huge. Arsenal’s squad, so far this summer, has aged down. We don’t have players for the kids to learn from. This is a player that is going to teach players on the rise how to handle the frying pan when the going gets tough. Newcastle was our ground zero last season, it wasn’t about quality, it was about strength in the vital moment of the season. Putting winners into the team is going to make those moments less daunting next season.
In his wider-ranging interview, Arteta doubled down on what we all expecting him to highlight… the forward line we’re building is going to be very dynamic and flexible. I think he’s adding explosive power and high-level technicians to our forward line so we can be unpredictable and deliver far more output next season.
So look, here are the additions to the squad.
- Gabriel Jesus
- Matt Turner
- Fabio Vieira
- William Saliba
- Marquinhos
There’s still plenty more to go and you only have to look at Arteta’s body language to know that we’re going hard at the summer. He’s calm, he’s smiling, he’s looking like he’s just seen god. A bit like how he was after that magical international break. Any manager that talks about a players smile first when asked a question is in good shape.
There are three positions still to fill if we’re to go into next season.
- Winger
- Central midfielder
- Left-back
Who knows where we’ll land on those deals, but we’re still in the mixer for Lisandro Martinez at left-back. Central midfield hasn’t moved, there are strong rumours that we’ve agreed terms with Tielemans, and there are new stories coming from Italy that we’re after Savic. Wide forward, who knows? I don’t believe that we’re in for Serge G though. He’s a superstar, but he’d break our wage structure, and I’m not sure we’re at the stage of our journey where we’d be a prime destination for him.
This summer is going pretty well right now, there’s a lot more to go, and there will be ups and downs, but the most important thing is we end the window with what we need. We have a squad more than capable of managing August. There are no injuries, we have two strikers tied down to long-term deals, and the squad will be buzzing with all the movement.
It’s a good time to be an Arsenal fan.
Right, I think you should be jumping into our latest podcast. We had Sophie from Highbury Squad join the show for the first time. It was an excellent show, we talked a lot about the dynamics impacting how we feel about the window, and discussed whether our lack of CL is impacting the speed of the moves. It’s a crack, subscribe, sign up to our Patreon, and let’s get AMPED for the new season.
Eriksen, Bissouma and Olise were my choices for this window. Eriksen and Bissouma went for a total of 25 mil.. We need to hope that Saliba and Fabio Vieira step up to the plate or Arsenal fans could be in for a frustrating season. I hope I’m wrong but have my doubts that Saliba, Vieira or Turner will be nowhere near our starting line up. Why is that…..well I can’t see Fabio replacing Odegaard as playmaker as he is an Arteta favourite. Can anybody see Saliba replacing White or Turner replacing Ramsdale…no chance… So what we have atm is Jesus… Read more »
‘“ Can anybody see Saliba replacing White or Turner replacing Ramsdale…no chance…
So what we have atm is Jesus as a probable starter out of our new signings, and i have my doubts that he will replace Eddie up top so don’t be surprised to see Jesus out wide if he struggles to make an impact up top through the usual lack of creativity that has blighted the team for the last couple of seasons.‘
I agree
Eddie’s goal scoring numbers will give Arteta a headache
Freddie, it’s going to be bad news for Arsenal I’m afraid.
Pedro
What are you hearing, without naming names.
Dissenter, brace for the worst.
No idea who this guy is but someone on Twitter saying it’s gonna be Partey. Apparently tweeted it out before any news came out, but I can’t be sure.
@opinions_james
Along with what Pedro is insinuating, and the fact that this is cursed Arsenal in the middle of what might be our most hopeful transfer window ever, of course it’s going to be Partey. I’d wager a hefty sum on it at this point.
Just going to have to hope that it resolves itself quickly and without incident like the Bissouma case.
If it’s Partey and.he proves guilty it’s not only a disaster to Arsenal but also a sever indictment of organized religion, perception of organized religion and.what it supposed to espouse.
Hope it.turns out to be fasle news.
I think we should all stop speculating. Wait until much more information is known.
presumably there are footballers who live in north london who don’t play for one of the two north london prem clubs…
If it’s Partey and.he proves guilty it’s not only a disaster to Arsenal but also a sever indictment of organized religion, perception of organized religion
Please go away. Has nothing to with religion. Keep your hatred comments to yourself.
myborther is saying partey was confirmed to have traveled with the team to germany. anyone else seeing that? that leaves mr xhaka…
Please go away. Has nothing to with religion. Keep your
hatred comments to yourself.
seriously Sam , the state of some people ehn. blame culture is the new woke I guess. smh
The Twitter account that said Partey was in Germany deleted that tweet.
It says he tweeted about Partey being with the team in Germany prior to knowing about any rape allegations to a footballer. Once his tweet was picked up by people on the internet to refute Partey possibly being the arrested player, he deleted the tweet saying he was unable to actually confirm if Partey was with the team in Germany or not.
fuck luteo, now thats got me worried
lets hope the accuser is either a spuds fan or a troll poster on LG
Seedy, I think that if the player is proven to have raped somebody they deserve time in prison. Other than that, for selfish reasons, I hope it’s not Partey.
Not sure why you asked for my view but there it is!
Unfortunately all the signs/signals point towards Partey. I will be absolutely gutted if it’s him. He is the most influential player at Arsenal barring Saka and ESR.
what signs/signals other than his age? xhaka is the same age
also well known international
ESR more influential than Miguel azeez I agree
Hang on lads
What if he’s innocent?
Partey is 29, apparently lives in Barnet and was supposed to go on a pre-tour to Germany but stayed back as all the players who played against Ipswich would fly later. Xhaka posted a pic from his holiday a few hours ago which means he is not under arrest.
Ideally I shouldn’t speculate but I am nervy about losing Partey. I will be relieved if it’s someone else.
That’s put a bit of a dampner on what was a fairly positive pre season. Let’s see how it pans out.
Could be a West Ham player but
Sam sir, hate is too strong a word to use, but i do have my concerns regarding organized religion in public life. Just saying it was Partey who in public forum let people know that he has converted form one organized religion to another. If there is no relevance then why publicise it.
Having said that i just hope and pray it’s not Partey.
I think that it is totally inappropriate to speculate on a website about a footballer who has been arrested, but sofar as I am aware not charged or indeed convicted of a serious criminal offence. Last night I posted that Elneny was not the individual, because in yesterday’s report on those attending training he was mentioned specifically as having been at the ground. The reference to Bissouma having been arrested previously for a similar offence highlights precisely why you need to be very careful in what you say. The police did not pursue this case and he has just been… Read more »
Seedy, what’s your view?
It was odd timing to announce his name and religion change
Looks like the same week of the alleged incident
I think it’s pretty tasteless that if whoever the said player is really raped someone that people’s first concern is what that could mean for our football team
Honestly if said player really raped someone I’m more concerned about the physical and emotion scars that is likely to leave on the person who got raped.
People need to have a good long think about their priorities…
We can fix our midfield by throwing more money at it. It’s much harder to fix a person…
He announced his name change after marriage to the LOHL.
Whoever he is, whether Arsenal player or spurs player, I hope the case is properly scrutinized. A lot of cries of rape allegations these days accusing superstars that literally has the pick of any girls….what’s going on???
Nothing in Newsnow yet and a small couple.of.paragraphs in BBC. Will have to wait for few more hours.
“Honestly if said player really raped someone I’m more concerned about the physical and emotion scars that is likely to leave on the person who got raped.”
So, apparently, your first concern should be finding out if it’s true innit?
China 1
Yes you are right, but in English law you are innocent until a case is proven and results in
conviction.
Sadly the media seldom sees it that way.
Rape is a very complex crime because there are two sides of the story and seldom witnesses.
For the record only just over 1% of all cases reach a conviction.
We should know today whether this matter is being pursued, because the police will need
to charge or apply to a court for an extension of the arrest warrant.
China
What about the trauma caused to the guy and his family if the allegations are untrue?
It’s a mine field out there these days. Fuck being a young and wealthy man in 2022.
Let’s get it out there rape is a heinous crime. Violation of a n other can hint be defended. I get myself into deep water at home ( having two daughters one who is a social worker ) because I genuinely believe that there are degrees of rape. What I hear you say . The fact that all allegations of rape are tested against the same measure and indeed subject to the same sanction has placed to burden of proof way too high . Thanks Sir Kier ( not ) Well for me say a couple in bed and every… Read more »
Un
It’s a mine field out there these days. Fuck being a young and wealthy man in 2022.
Whoops !
Violation of a n other can hint be defended.
Violation of a n other can not be defended
The fker that posted: “Arsenal fans are gonna be waking up to some bad news about Thomas Partey today… better plan for a season without him 👀 #afc #aftv” posted it yesterday morning, 6-8 hours before the news broke out. How wild could a guess be? … But Yakubu converted due to the woman he loves. Surely it’s not him…
Really excited for this Gabriel Jesus signing.
Hope he thrives taking on the responsibility of playing centrally, and being the main man.
We need to score a lot more goals if we want to compete with the very best teams.
Anyone know where or if they’re showing the game against FC Nurnberg on Friday afternoon? 16.30 kick off.
I have no interest in Erickson coming here at all glad Man U are getting him,
I’d imagine Arteta is going to have to update his list of non-negotiables…
.
SiddeeqJuly 5, 2022 08:26:33
If she is from Essex,
You will burn, even if you got latex
Seriously now ?
Teraloon. I stand with you. R*pe not looking like what we used to know back then. Stories of rape allegations these days are pretty imaginative to say the least. But hey, the law is the law and if they uphold and condone all those imaginations, then he who falls to it should be convicted.
Whoever it is, after reading the story, the accuser was actually on holiday with the accused and sharing the same hotel room.
Feel sorry for today’s blokes. Wouldn’t trust half these young slags who’s role models are molly mae Hague. So glad I’m 40 and out of it wouldn’t trust any young lass these days
I’ve read the article from three different pages, The Sun (I know), Sportbible (I’m sorry) and the Telegrath (meh) and they’re all slightly different. Just increases the speculation (as does my post). Whatever will be and all that.
Partey has an unknown injury date of return unknown. Mysterious.
https://www.transfermarkt.com/fc-arsenal/startseite/verein/11
Kegunner that injury is from our game vs Crystal Palace in April.
https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/thomas-partey/leistungsdaten/spieler/230784/plus/0?saison=2021
Whoever mentioned that the date and time of Partey converting to islam fits the month of June is wrong.
https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1504626999385485314
Partey converted to islam in March. The name change to Yakubu happened in early June.
Anyway, he converted for his wife. I’d be giga surprised if he was the rape guy. No way.
At the end of last season we discussed on Le Grove the two major signings that Arsenal needed to make this summer. These were CF and CMF. The CMF recruitment was highlighted because Partey was injury prone and Xhaka is not rated by many as good enough if Arsenal are to progress in finishing in top 4 and qualify for Champions League. Without discussing further recent criminal investigation I think that it is now imperative that Arsenal focus on recruitment on a new CMF. This needs to be resolved sooner rather than later. As I posted previously there should be… Read more »
Hi guys, Long time lurker here, I like to hear Arsenal fans’ views on football so been reading this blog for a few years. Just dropped in to say I really hope that fans of both clubs can show respect to the alleged victim and not engage in distasteful speculation as to who the alleged perpetrator is, or your views on whether they’re guilty or not. This is a horrible incident and is something that needs to be stamped out of our shared culture. I will post again in future if I’m allowed, but I am aware that I’m a… Read more »
Raptora, RUMOURS that the woman/alleged victim is his new (Moroccan) wife and that she fled to her parents… we’ll know more today, hope it’s all BS but too much smoke to my liking…
Hoksilato
Well if true…..guess Xhaka is here to stay.
Hokislato. Lol. Makes it even funnier.
ES I really like both Partey + Tierney, top experienced players who make us better. But if we got offers for either, and an opportunity to go in a different direction, I feel we should take it. Injury prone players leads to over playing other players, which leads to even more injury prone players as a result. That then becomes a perpetual cycle of players breaking down at key stages in the season, and that’s how seasons go up in smoke. If we want to compete on multiple fronts, then we need a combination of quality in depth, not just… Read more »
What is sambi’s role this season? Cheerleader?
So if true then it’s similar to the situation with the girl that was dating Greenwood. Well I thought it’s the only way it could be Partey but I refused to say it.
Sambi was so bad last season that El neny got a new deal. When do we cut lose? Or do we still have hope he will come good?
@Hoksilato
Your rumour fits into what Chrispy posted earlier when he said that he heard that the accused and accuser were on a joint holiday together.
Basically if Yakubu is not on the flight to Germany today then the plot will be thicker than a bowl oatmeal porridge being eaten by Harry Kane.
Regardless, there’s two sides to every story so lets see how it all plays out if the rumors are true on the players identity
Quite sure the “player” that got picked up at 5am, handcuffed and held at police station for 24hrs did not find this “funny”
Would have been a joke if the issue at hand wasn’t so serious.
I think it’s bullshit doe. I still think it’s not Partey.
I remember CG had this to say after he saw pictures of Partey’s wife Moroccan Sara Bella.
“I think, you can safely say, she definitely ‘ wears the trousers ‘”
Sambi should get plenty of game time this season, he’ll likely play the 6 group stage games, + minutes in the early rounds of the domestic cups. If he gains confidence from that, he at least won’t be as rusty when we throw him into league games. I really like him, it was always unlikely a 21yr old with just over 6,000 minutes, was going to come from the Belgian league, and produce consistency in the PL in his first season, that’s generally not how things work. He’s got a few rough edges which is normal at this stage of… Read more »
It is who we are all talking about, definitely not good news. Have a good start to pre season and then get an ugly rain cloud hanging over us
He’s probably our most important player too. Only Saka could contest it and while we actually have some quality in offence, our midfield falls short. No better time for something like this to happen though. We’ll have the time to get a replacement in.
Rich, i hope it goes well for him. He’s 22 now. No longer a kid and shouldn’t really be in that developmental stage anymore. Guenduozi for eg, was signed and became something of a fixture at 19
Raptora
All these are rumours by the way and even if it’s him, he will be realised on bail till the case goes to trial right? He can still play fully for us until he’s proven guilty right?
Definitely one of our most influential, but right, still time to sort. Even if it’s unfounded, form normally always falls off a cliff too. Maybe that’s why we’re being linked with the player who n Italy, unless he’s after a new contract or going to Juve
Terrible news if correct about the rape allegation. I dearly hope this is not true as I have a strong feeling I know who it is. My friend does maintenance work for an Arsenal player in the Barnet area and he is the same age. Let this not be true. Good luck to Arsenal this year and it’s great reading your articles Pedro.
Ye, Mystic but if there is hard evidence, like it was with Greenwood’s recording, then the club wouldn’t play him just like Manure did with Greenwood. Else he’d be available to play I guess, but IF his wife is accusing him of raping her, then she almost certainly has a strong case. It’s his wife and she could have made sure to record anything she wanted to.
All these are rumours by the way and even if it’s him, he will be realised on bail till the case goes to trial right? He can still play fully for us until he’s proven guilty right?
You would assume that but take a look at Greenwood – not been seen since his accusations came to light. Admittedly there was a lot more public evidence on that one but still.
Mystic it’s always the association or stigma that follows. Macguire had a mare after his fighting, greenwood another one.
Hopefully Sambi will blossom a bit this season, I thought he had the makings of a decent player last season
Isnt Partey in Germany though ? Why are people insinuatingits him I dont get it .
Thanks rap and Ollie. I guess the Greenwood stuff was just “in our faces” at once.
Call me ignorant, naive or crazy or all but I still am trying to wrap my head around how a husband or a wife could rape their wife or husband. Really think it takes away the credibility and seriousness of “actual rape” victims.
‘but IF his wife is accusing him of raping her, then she almost certainly has a strong case. It’s his wife and she could have made sure to record anything she wanted to.’
I’m not so sure this is true, inter-marital rapes are harder to prove.
….but when you read that 6 police cars converged on the house in Barnet, you wonder what are they expecting to find?
I’m bewildered by the entire ordeal
If a young lady goes back to his house and is in bed with him in a state of undress then it’s going to be difficult to convince a jury or court that she didnt know exactly what she was doing, unless it’s a similar story to the Greenwood case. I highly doubt the footballer in question jumped from behind a bush in a park at night. We’ve all been young lads and you know, pulled women on a night out (except Marko and Freddie of course) but in such situations the moment and chemistry takes you to the inevitable… Read more »
‘Why are people insinuatingits him I dont get it’
Probably from Pedro saying that it’s not going to be good news for Arsenal and to brace for the worst!
Rich I understand your position about Tierney and Partey but neither of these players are going to be sold in this transfer window. The players likely to be under consideration for departure this summer are Leno, Runarsson, Mari, Bellerin, AMN, Torreira, Pepe and Nelson. The departure of Leno, AMN and Nelson may be fairly straightforward, because they are likely to stay in England. However, I suspect their transfer fees will be modest, because you need to factor in their wages. Mari, Bellerin, Torreira and Pepe will be more problematic. None of these players are likely to move to English Clubs.… Read more »
Would be nice to just see a relaxed “ready for training” pic on instagram from TP…that would kill it all and not that complicated to do…
Mysticleaves What Guendouzi was doing for us at 19 was really underrated, was another player with personality on the pitch, always wanted to take the ball in difficult moments Of course he had a few rough edges, but what teenagers haven’t?…. He’s had issues off the pitch pretty much everywhere he’s been, but if he matures off the pitch, I’m in little doubt there’s a top player there. He doesn’t want to lose that spikiness + competitive nature, but likely just needs to mature and learn to manage that boundless energy. 22 isn’t old for a player who plays in… Read more »
Dissenter,
I get what you’re saying. The fact that they are husband and wife and the wife accuses the husband of a rape rubs me the wrong way. In a way that for the wife to actually call the police and go through this just a few months after their get married she must have hardcore evidence. If she doesn’t then she surely is dumber than she looks.
“….but when you read that 6 police cars converged on the house in Barnet, you wonder what are they expecting to find?”
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/sinister-gimp-suit-man-who-27346527
VG haha what is that and can he play in midfield
raptora
Again not necessary
It would depend on a lot of factors like if there was domestic violence involved and whether police were recalled to that residence in the past,
If the aggrieved party [victim] was collecting evidence then it was to gain leverage in a divorce.
Not talking about any player in particular.
If there is a problem then the player will not be able to play for us.
Our midfield is still thin and Arteta will not fix it.
It was very widely accepted that we need another CM and that was before all this Partey situation came up. IF it is him, surely we need two signings in CM. Not sure how that can be debated!?
The player can still play for us whilst the police is doing the investigation
It all depends on the unique circumstances.
For all we know, Partey may have been as involved as Bissouma who was still arrested. Brighton had no problems playing when they learned they the facts of the case
I wish it would stay as innocent until proven guilty but in reality it’s not.
Weird that he’d change his name and religion after the incident. I think that he’s done it to placate her. If she accused him then he wouldn’t do that
If it’s partey that’s being accused then I can’t see it being his wife that’s accused him. Why would you change your name and religion for someone who does that? Immediately after they accused you?
Dissenter
Whether he is actually guilty or not is almost irrelevant. Lets say it is Partey and his wife is falsely accusing him of rape, imagine what state his head is going to be in. Football will be the last thing on his mind.
Some old slapper somewhere is trying to have partey over.
I’m sure of it.
Matt
That’s what I was thinking. He’s highly unlikely to be the same guy when he comes back, if it’s him that’s being accused
Game time for Lakonga. Sink or swim. If we weren’t in for Savic before then we really should be now. Forget wingers. We need 2cmf if all this turns out to be true
Bissouma players successfully during his ordeal
Sometimes doing what you love doing and know how to do can be a distraction for the player to get through that situation.
If it’s egregious like the Greenwood case, of course he can’t be allowed to even come around club facilities but if the club contract an external risk management team to review the case and they come back to say the case is very weak….
Lokonga didn’t swim last season.
Maybe they need to change his life jacket.
He’s in the same boat as Nuno Tavares and we are seeking to replace Nuno with a £38 million player so why can’t we do the same for the midfield?
Arsenal have been heavy in recent years publicising that the club have a very clean image and this only intensified once Arteta took over.
So any notions that a player is going to continue to take the field for this current Arsenal with a rape case hanging over him may be forlorn.
Also in reply to a previous post it’s highly naive to think that talking about the potential repercussions of such an incident in regards to the actual Arsenal side on an Arsenal fan blog is going to take a back seat to the actual victim.
Of course you can have sympathies with any victim but it’s just this virtue signalling yet again in evidence I’m afraid to imply that the victim should be foremost in Arsenal fans minds.
It’s a false fake narrative.
Don: “Weird that he’d change his name and religion after the incident.”
He converted to Islam in March https://twitter.com/TikiTakaConnor/status/1504626999385485314 . The name change was in early June so not sure if it happened before or after the incident. Still, he converted like 4 months ago. I’d be so surprised to hear that he’s the accused.